Homes evacuated & 100 cars destroyed in Dublin scrapyard blaze as firefighters remain at scene after dangerous inferno

HOMES were evacuated and up to 100 cars were destroyed in a monster inferno at a Dublin scrapyard which broke out yesterday afternoon.

Firefighters remain at the scene this morning, however, the blaze is now under control and the response has been “scaled right back”.

Grey O’Dwyer, the Chief Fire Officer of Dublin Fire Brigade, told RTE’s Morning Ireland: “There were approximately 80 to 100 cars involved and destroyed in the fire.

“But there was a huge stock of car tyres as well, which would have given off that black smoke.”

There are now just two fire appliances and a water tanker at the scene.

They have been tasked with “dampening down” the last remaining pockets of fire still smouldering.

This is down from eight units yesterday afternoon, when five fire engines, a foam tender and two water tankers rushed to battle the blaze.

Dublin Airport Fire and Rescue Service and Meath Fire Service also provided resources to the operation.

O’Dwyer explained that the firefighting operation was very dangerous given the nature of the site.

He said: “There was only one way in and out, so surrounding it was difficult… with gas cylinders and so on around the place.”

Several homes were evacuated during the firefighting operation.

O’Dwyer continued: “There were a couple of houses which were very close to [the] site which were evacuated for their own safety.”

He added that the homes were “never in danger” but residents were moved out to protect them from smoke and the “possibility of projectiles”.

Yesterday, shocking video showed flames and smoke climbing high into the sky over the Ballyboughal scrapyard.

And pictures showed dozens of burnt out vehicles, destroyed beyond repair.

It is not yet known what caused the blaze, which was first reported at 3.19pm yesterday.